How to travel from the airport to Paris

Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG) to Paris by public transport

Paris by train – RER B

If you’re travelling to Paris on a budget one of the cheapest options for travelling from CDG airport to Paris is by train. The RER system is an extension of Paris’ metro system which extends into the outer zones of the Ile-de-France (or the department of Paris) and reaches the airport. The RER B runs from Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 of CDG airport and goes to Paris Gare du Nord, Chatelet Les-Halles and Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, three of the biggest metro stations in Paris and will connect you to anywhere you need to be in Paris. To go from Terminal 1 you will need to take the CDGVAL to Terminal 2 or 3 – the CDGVAL is a free shuttle system that runs to each terminal, you simply hop on then hop off and change to the RER, there are signs for the RER B all over each terminal. Paris’ public transport system is simple to use and is very cheap as you can get from the airport to any Paris metro station for 10€. To buy tickets, you can see signs for the ticket machines (pictured below) or ‘Billets’ near to the RER stations in the airport – you simply change the language to English and select a ticket to Paris and choose your station. Be careful to hold onto your ticket as you’ll need it to get out of the barriers on the other side once you reach Paris, and without one you could be fined up to 50€. This will work the same for Paris to CDG airport, you simply go to any metro station and purchase a ticket for 10€ for the airport.

INSIDR Tip: Never buy tickets off people in the airport, always use the machine as this could be a scam!

Costs: 10€ (adult fare) / 7€ (children 4 – 9) / free (children under 4)

Roissy bus – to Paris Opéra

One of the most popular transfers from CDG to Paris is to take the Roissybus to Opéra in Paris. It is a direct bus that runs from the Terminals 1 and 3 at CDG airport that goes into the centre of Paris in the space of 60-75 minutes. The ticket machines can be located at the departure points, at the RATP counters in Terminals 1, 2B and 2D, from 7.30am to 6.30pm, or on board the Roissybus. It is important to note that Navigo passes and Paris visite tickets zones 1-5 are valid at all times on this service, even on weekends and holidays. However, debit and credit cards are not accepted on-board so you’ll have to buy your tickets at the ticket machines unless you pay in cash. The service departs every 15 minutes so it should be quick and easy without a long wait to get on one! The cost of one ticket is 12,10€.

Le Bus Direct – Line 2, 3 and 4

Another great option for taking the bus into Paris on a budget or from CDG airport to Orly airport is Le Bus Direct. Le bus direct includes a Luggage Service at each stop in Paris and airports for all your luggage, on-board WiFi and USB plugs at each seat allowing you to ride in comfort. Le Bus Direct fares are all inclusive, there is no hidden charges or surprises – you can see the price of the fares in the image below. There are four different lines that can take you closer to the place you need in Paris and there’s even one that takes you between the two airports. Lines 2, 3 and 4 stop at Terminal 2E and 2F and Terminal 1 and you can purchase tickets from the machines nearby the stop or you can purchase them online.

Paris Orly airport to Paris by public transport

Orly bus

A popular and cheap way to transfer to and from ORLY airport is with the OrlyBus. It runs from the 14th arrondissement of Paris at ‘la Place Denfert-Rochereau’ directly to ORLY airport and back. Tickets cost 8€ and can be purchased from any metro station ticket station or on-board the bus. The frequency of the buses is between every 8-15 minutes and the journey time is between 25-35 minutes depending on traffic. The first bus from Paris is at 5.35am with the last one leaving at midnight, and in the direction of Orly to Paris – the first one is at 6am with the last one leaving at 12.30am. For catching the bus from Orly, the bus departs from Orly Sud gate H platform 4 and Orly Ouest gate J level 0 – arrivals.

Le bus direct

Le bus direct also works for Orly to Paris transfers. You can take their line N°1, of the picture previously mentioned in Le bus direct for CDG transfers, to Paris Orly airport. The bus leaves from Place de l’Étoile and makes stops at Invalides and Gare Montparnasse before arriving at Orly West and Orly South. From Orly to Paris, the bus goes to the same stops and allows travellers without luggage to get out at Porte d’Orléans and Duroc stops – attention if you have luggage though, you’ll need to wait until the end. The first bus that leaves from Paris for Orly airport from Place de l’Étoile at 5:00 am, and the last one leaves at 10:40 pm. In the other direction, the first bus leaves from Orly airport at 6:00 am whereas the last one leaves at 11:40 pm. It will always be less than 30 minutes to wait for the next bus in each direction. The service costs 12€. Below you can see all of the addresses of departure and pickup points for the service.

Paris by train – Orly Val

Another possible way to get from Orly to Paris and back again by public transport is by taking the Orly Val and RER B. INSIDR Tip: We don’t recommend this service as it involves changing trains from the Orly Val to RER B and Navigo Decouverte passes do NOT work on this service. A Paris visite ticket zones 1-5 is accepted or if not a full ticket costs 12,05€ and you will have to change at the end of the Orly Val at Anthony RER B stop then take the RER B train into any main RER B station in Paris. It travels between both terminals of Orly airport but you will have to purchase a ticket before you get on-board as if not you could be fined up to 50€. Here is another website with more information on the Paris Orly Airport to central Paris transfer by train if you do decide this is the best way for you.

Looking for more info on how to use transportation in Paris? Check our Paris Public Transport Guide!

This guide includes information on how to use the metro, trains and getting the right transport tickets and traveller passes. Get the INSIDR Paris Public Transport Guide !

Paris airport transfer (CDG and Orly) by cabs and private shuttles

INSIDR Chauffeur service

We just launched our new official private driver service, which will take you between the airport and Paris city centre at ease. For only 65€, you can book your private chauffeur in advance and simplify your arrival in Paris. This rate includes a private transfer for up to 3 people from CDG airport to central Paris. If you’re part of a group of 4 people or more, each additional passenger (maximum of 8 passengers) will be charged at 5€.

Please click here to know more about our new service!

LeCab

A cheap taxi service for airport transfers in Paris is LeCab. You can avoid possible long taxi lines, by pre-booking a cab in advance with LeCab. Perfect for stress-free travel to Paris as well as travelling to Paris on a budget. They travel to both CDG airport and Orly airport with a private driver service at a flat rate, whatever the traffic conditions are. You are given 20 minutes waiting time included in the price of the ride due to arrival times not being exact/
You worry-free flight delays as they will be notified if your flight is delayed or advanced, and the arrival of your driver’s arrival will be automatically adjusted. You will not have to change anything. You can book easily through the telephone number found on their website, through the website itself or the mobile app with is downloaded onto all the INSIDR phones – you’ll get 10€ off of your first ride with them with us – and you will receive a text when your cab arrives.
Costs: 48€ for CDG to Paris / Paris to CDG taxi and 37€ for Orly

WeCab / G7 Sharing

WeCab is another great pre-bookable taxi service to help you transfer from Orly or CDG airports to Paris. With a fixed flat rate you see in advance for your transfer to or from a station or airport – you can book through the website or by phone. You pay for your taxi upon booking your transfer  – and you can keep total control over your budget (perfect for travelling to Paris on a budget) and avoid any nasty surprises on the day you travel. Rates change depending on your add-on options on the website and number of passengers. In a shared taxi, WeCab offers to save you up to 40% of the price of a traditional taxi fare! On the day of your transfer to or from the airport, your taxi will pick you up at your home or at the airport and will take you to your destination (no more than 30 minutes of detour time to pick up extra passengers). If they don’t find any other passengers to share the taxi, the ride is at no extra cost!